Comment next week on plans for north side of Pike Place Market

By AUBREY COHEN, SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

Published 8:03 pm, Monday, April 15, 2013

Photo: The Miller Hull Partnership

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This artist's depiction shows the proposed PC-1 North project, which would put parking, retail and restaurant space, and homes for low-income residents on three-quarters of an acre at the north side of Pike Place Market.

This artist's depiction shows the proposed PC-1 North project, which would put parking, retail and restaurant space, and homes for low-income residents on three-quarters of an acre at the north side of Pike

This artist's depiction shows the proposed PC-1 North project, which would put parking, retail and restaurant space, and homes for low-income residents on three-quarters of an acre at the north side of Pike Place Market.

This artist's depiction shows the proposed PC-1 North project, which would put parking, retail and restaurant space, and homes for low-income residents on three-quarters of an acre at the north side of Pike

People will be able to comment next week on a proposal to redevelop three-quarters of an acre at the north side of Pike Place Market.

The PC-1 North project would put parking, stores, restaurants and homes for low-income residents on a Western Avenue site long used as a parking lot. It would include public open space, with views, and pedestrian access from the market to the waterfront.

The Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority and architect The Miller Hull Partnership completed a concept design last October and plan to start schematic designs -- finalizing the general building layout, developing site plans, identifying building systems and beginning the process of selecting building materials -- this month. Seattle Planning and Development officials would then review the plans.

"An open process and dynamic dialogue with people passionate about the Pike Place Market has been critical to our success to date," Authority Executive Director Ben Franz-Knight said in a news release. "We want to make sure that we are mindful of the Market's history and acting as responsible stewards of this important public asset as we take advantage of this opportunity to engage with the waterfront as never before."

Officials expect to finish the final design by October, start construction in June 2014 and finish in 2016, before the final demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

The open house on the project is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 24, in the Elliott Bay Room on the third level of the Economy Building, 1433 1st Ave.